THE WAIHI TROUBLE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14524, 28 November 1912, Page 7

THE WAIHI TROUBLE.

CHARGES OF THREATENING BEHAVIOUR. (miss association teleoium.) WAIHI, November 27. On tho resumption of the Court this morning, William J. Swears and Thomas Tobin were charged with threatening behaviour in tho Main street, on November 9th. There was no appearance of Tobin. Senior-Sergeant McKmnon deposed that ho heard tho word "scab" used. Tobin and Swears began a fight, which witness stopped. The conduct of the strikers was to continually howl epithets such as "scab," and these were commonly used every day in the public street. The police were unnble to cope with this conduct. Men wore summoned, but preferred gaol rather than to observe tho law. Women were just as bad. They didn't confine themselves to insulting language, but also throw stones and rotten eygs. Witness had a narrow escape of being struck on the heart with a stono as big as his fist in the ..lain street. He remonstrated on several occasions with the strikers and tho women, and tho reply was, "Take your dirty scoundrels off the street" (meaning the police). Delancy and his wife received .shocking treatment, when they had not given the slightest provocation. He warned the strikers continually, but they took no heed. The police came in for abuse, bong alluded to as "Massey's Protectors," "pimps," etc. When remonstrated with the strikers said "they didn't aire a hang about the law." As a sample of the language used, ho heard a single young woman say to the workers:—"You dirty, rotten, maggotty, cancerous scabs." Sergeant Millar said ho was in Soddon street on thc morning of November 11th. He saw Conriok, a striker, running, with Delancy and others following. Ho saw Conrick struck and fall on his knees. Witness pushed the crowd back and got Conrick into somo stables near-by. Conrick thanked him. Tho statement in the "Maoriland Worker," that Conrick was kicked in the ribs, was untrue. The womep folk frequently used offensive terms'in addressing the workers; and also used hatpins and sticks. When witness appealed to Frasor, tho Foderationist, about the women's conduct, Fraser replied that the police should arrest them.

This concluded tho evidence in tho charge against Delancy. Mr T. Cotter. K.C., who appeared for the Arbitrationists, in addressing the Court, appealed to.tho Bench not to record convictions against tho names of tho defendants, whoso actions had been tho outcome of tho cunduct of tho strikers. In giving vent _to their .pent-up feelings the workers 'and inflicted remarkably little injury upon those who had goaded them" to retaliation. They had not used lethal weapons, only tho weapon which Nature had provided them. That they should take somo little toll for the insult and abuse which they and theirs had for so long been subjected, was only to bo expected.

THE STRIKERS AT AUCKLAND

A RESTIVE FEELING.

LOSING PATIENCE WITH THE LEADERS. (phesb association telegram.) i AUCKLAND, November 27. A restivo feeling is gaining ground amongst tho Waihi strikers who were ordered to como to Auckland with their families by officials of the. Federation. There is every indication, indeed, that if tho Federation delays much longer tho playing of its mystorious "tramp ' card." of which co much has been heard and so little has been seen, the men chiefly concerned may break out into active resentment. The Federation officials and Strike- Committee who are controlling tho movements of strikers now in Auckland will neither give permits to men to go to work nor to leavo the city. This autocratic procedure is | giving rise to grave dissatisfaction, as several of tho strikers have largo families to keep and homes lying neglected at Waihi. These men naturally want to obtain employment, or, at least, to be allowed to occupy their own houses again. Married men with families of four aro receiving 37s 6<l per week in strike pay, and those with more than four in tho family aro receiving £2 per week. Single men are drawing 17s 6d per week. It is stated to be tho intention of the Strike Committeo to pay out an all round increase on these amounts of 2s 6d per week after Monday next. That the leaders of the Federation of Labour are losing their hold upon many of the strikers is apparent. Several have returned to Waihi in spite of tho virtual prohibition they aro under. Some of the strikers complain'bitterly that they are forced to stay in Auckland and remain idle. They are kept absolutely in tho dark as to what the Federation officials intend to do. It is thought that their idea is to declare Waihi a "scab" district. Some of tho men favour returning to Waihi first, and if any of them aro victimised then black-listing tho goldfields town. This course, however, does not meet with the approval of Federation leaders. So far as can bo gathered from enquiries made, the strikers nro in no mood to tolerate much further delay in the settlement of the matters affecting them. There is talk of throwing oft" the Federation at Christmas unless the loaders make good their promises , to lead them to a "glorious victory." Tho men appear to still have faith in tho Federation as n body, but to have lost all patience with tho leaders.

A FEDERATION MANIFESTO,

VARIOUS CHARGES AND DEMANDS.

(rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 27. Tho Federation of Labour has addressed a manifesto to. tho people of New Zealand. Tho Federation asks that tho situation bo viewed calmly and dispassionately. It declares that there was catiso for the exodus of the Waihi strikers and their families, and this cause was collusion between the police and the so-called Arbitrationists in an effort to break tho Waihi strike. It further declares that a hundred witnesses are prepared to swear in a court of law that the roaee aided and abetted lawless acts of assault, eviction and outrage; also that Commissioner Cullen's administration at Waihi was partisan, provocative of disorder, and altogether subversive of civic policy. "We say tho Government's, policy throughout is practically responsible for riot and outrage at Waihi, and that it, and not us, should bo on trial. Tho Government, by its policy and representatives as far as Waihi is concerned, are charge.! with being acces c ories to discreditable and un-British infamies, and therefore should not be our judges as well as our accusers." Tho Federation goes on to ask whether tlie people are prepared to allow the Government and tho Polico Commissioner to escape all responsibility on the plea that the Federation deserves to bo wiped out because it is opposed to tho Government. Tho charge is mado by the Federation that pvery statement on .the trouble by'the'Minister of Justice i* clearly aiiti-Fpflcrnt-onißt. obviou*lv biased, and demonstrably not judicial.

In tho opinion of tho Federation it was undignified of tho Minister to accept tho Mayor of Waihi's congratulations for refusing to set up an enquiry. An enquiry is demanded by tho Federation, which says that it is not proper of tho Minister to decido if it is worth while" permitting an enquiry. Peoplo everywhero aro asked to back up the demand for on enquiry, and the Federation says it will stake its all on tho result. Tho Federation asks for tho removal of Mr Wallnut from his position as coroner, on the ground that he is an anti-Fcderationist and a foe of the strike and tho Miners' Union, and that his conduct of tho inquest so far does not inspire faith in his fitness for tho grave duties ho has to discharge.

The Federation appeals for subscriptions for Evans's widow and children, to whom it has voted £100. The levy on the Federation Unions is to bo reduced to fivo per cent, of tho weoklv earnings.

To solidify Union forces against thc Government and scttlo whether a minority or majority shall govern, a conferenco of trades' unions is to bo convened by tho Federation for next January.